My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Four solo home runs help lead the Phils to victory over the Braves, 6-2.

Four home runs by the Phils’ offense lead the Phils to a 6-2 victory over the playoffs bound Braves.

The Phils took a 1-0 lead in the first as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Chase Utley hits an RBI ground out, 4-3, scoring Juan Pierre, who had earlier tripled, just miss hitting a home run. The Braves would tie it up at one-all in the second as, with runners on second and third, and with nobody out, Brian McCann hits into an RBI ground out, 4-3, knocking in Freddie Freeman, who had started the inning off with a walk, then stopped at third base on Dan Uggla’s double, while Uggla, who had just doubled, would move up to third base. The Braves tried to take the lead as Uggla headed home on contact, as Jose Constanza hits a grounder back to Phils’ starter Kyle Kendrick, who then threw home, putting Uggla into a rundown, until he was tagged out at third base by third baseman Kevin Frandsen in a 1-2-5 fielder’s choice out, while Constanza would move up to second base on the rundown. The Phils took the lead in the third as Frandsen hits a lead-off home run, his second home run of the season, giving the Phils a 2-1 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the fourth as, with one man out, Ryan Howard hits a solo home run, his thirteenth home run of the year, and his third home run in as many games, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead. The Phils then made it a 4-1 lead as Carlos Ruiz hits a solo home run of his own, his fifteenth home run of the season. The Phils added to their lead in the sixth as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Ruiz hits an RBI single, knocking in Utley, who had earlier walked, stole second base, then moved up to third base on Tommy Hanson’s wild pitch, giving the Phils a 5-1 lead. The Braves got a run back in the seventh as, with a runner on third, and with two men out, Constanza hits an RBI single, knocking in Uggla, who had earlier doubled, then moved up to third base on McCann’s ground out, 4-3, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 5-2. The Phils got the run back in the eighth as, with one man out, Utley hits a solo home run, his eleventh home run of the year, giving the Phils a 6-2 lead. That would be the final score as Jonathan Papelbon threw a 1-2-3 inning.

Kyle Kendrick (10-11, 3.89) got the win as he pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk, striking out six. Jeremy Horst collected his fourth hold of the season as he pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only batter that he would face. Antonio Bastardo collected his twenty-third hold of the year as he pitched an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out two. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Tommy Hanson (12-9, 4.46), took the lost as he went five and one-third innings, giving up five runs on four hits, three walks and a wild pitch, while striking out five. Cory Gearrin pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Luis Avilan pitched two innings, giving up a run on a hit, as he struck out two.

The Phils had six hits in the game, with Carlos Ruiz leading the team with two hits, a single and a home run, knocking in two. Juan Pierre (Triple), Chase Utley (Home Run, 2 RBIs), Ryan Howard (Home Run, RBI) and Kevin Frandsen (Home Run, RBI) had the other four Phils’ hits. The Phils also had three walks and a stolen base (Utley (9)) in the ballgame.

The Phils (77-74, 3rd) continue their series with the Braves (86-65, 2nd) with a ballgame this afternoon. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is suppose to begin at 4:05 pm EDT. The game is to be televised by Fox Sports. The Phils will send to the mound Roy Halladay (10-7, 4.03), who is coming off a no-decision against the Astros on September 16, as he pitched six innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out seven, in the Phils’ 7-6 lost. He will be trying to continue the present Phils’ winning streak. The Braves will counter with Mike Minor (9-10, 4.31) who is coming off a win against the Nationals on September 16, as he threw six innings, giving up a run on five hits and a walk, while striking out three, in the Braves’ 5-1 win. Minor will be trying to even up the series. The Phils will be out to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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